Charlotte took the check and went straight to the bank.
She decided to make good use of it. She may have gotten it in the most disgusting way, but it was still money, and that was what she needed.
She needed money to pay the outstanding bills and debts, as well as her mother's hospital bill.
She got to the hospital, made the payment, and sat next to her comatose mother, who was surviving on oxygen.
With a painful yet warm smile on her lips, she said,
"Hi, mom. It's been a while."
Her mother has been in a coma after suffering a sudden stroke a few years back. And the day her mother collapsed was the day she broke up with her boyfriend, who betrayed her with her pregnant best friend.
That day...
______
"What's the matter?" Charlotte asked, panicked.
She had been welcomed by an empty house. The neighbors told her that her mother had rushed to the hospital earlier, minutes ago. With the speed of lightning, Charlotte took to her heels and headed straight for the city hospital.
Charlotte met Jeffery, her brother, pacing about the ward, with their Grandmother who kept muttering some words to herself as she sobbed.
It could be a prayer or plea but she was definitely hoping for a miracle of some sort.
Jeffery's eyes were teary as he gazed at his older sister.
"Will somebody speak up?!" Charlotte spoke up again.
"Mother slumped whilst taking a shower and passed out,"
"She did what?!' Charlotte yelled as she went to take a look at her unconscious mother in the bed.
"The doctors say she suffered from a stroke but they won't commence treatment until we pay the deposit." Jeffery explained.
"Doctor!" Charlotte screamed as angry and painful tears streamed down her cheeks. "Why won't you help her? Please, help her. She... She may die.*
"Madam, put yourself together. Your mother isn't in a life-threatening condition yet, but if we delay any longer with her treatment, it may become so." He explained.
"Then why won't you commence with the treatment?"
"Please go and make a deposit of 20,000 dollars first before any treatment can commence. It is our protocol." The ugly man said as he walked past Charlotte who was sucking.
"Twenty thousand dollars???" Charlotte's eyes bulged out. Where was she going to get that kind of amount from? She quickly rushed out, promising Jeffery and Grandma she'd be back soon. "Alright, alright." She took in a deep breath. "I...I'll think of something. I'll withdraw my savings and then..." She was anxious but simply left to go find a way.
Charlotte took a cab down to her bank, where she withdrew her life savings which only amounted to 2,000 dollars. She felt disheveled as it was not up to the whole sum. She sighed in deep thought.
She had never bothered Nelson Grill with her family issues or ever asked for money. He tipped her at will and took care of her needs without her asking.
So maybe he could help her this time. If she asked him, he might just help her with the money.
But when she got to his apartment, she heard the most deafening and disgusting moan of a female coming from Nelson's room.
The voice sounded familiar but she did not want to believe it was 'her'. She had helped her so much. There was no way she would do such a thing to her.
She walked into the room and her eyes widened in shock.
The mould on her man's bed kept moving up and down and the two individuals were so engrossed in the unholy act. The room smelled of female cum mixed with sweat. Their bodies generated heat even in the air conditioned room.
Their underwear was scattered about on the floor and Charlotte stood with her mouth agap.
"Brenda!" Charlotte called out in anger.
The lady who was on top jilted off the man in shock, grabbing the duvet with her to cover herself. It was Brenda alright.
"It's not what you think," Brenda said, slightly trembling in shock, but Charlotte was right about her suspicion.
Brenda had been her best friend since college and they went through so much together. But then when Charlotte started dating NG, Nelson Grill.
She has begged Charlotte to introduce her since he was a big name and one night, Charlotte did. The biggest mistake of her life.
_______
It was Charlotte's final year in college. Her friends had planned a till-dawn party. Since she was dating this wealthy guy, Nelson Grill, who had a rooftop house, she offered to let them use her boyfriend's for the venue.
Nelson Grill, an alumnus of their school, graduated four years ago. He'd amassed so much wealth from tech and now runs his own tech company.
They'd met at a competition for students sponsored by him and he had singled her out to speak to her. He said she was special, and that was how they kicked off. Not a lot of story thereafter either.
The party had kicked off at exactly 8:00 pm; Charlotte and some close friends sat at the far end, where they sipped from their glass of wine, chatting over the loud music.
"I'm not surprised NG agreed to this," Brenda said as she rolled her eyes in envy. Nelson Grills was popularly known as 'NG' as he was a household name amongst students in City Z for his sudden rise to wealth and fame amongst his peers around the world.
"At first, I was scared to ask. But here we are," Charlotte beamed a smile. She was moving, enjoying the symphony of the beat.
"Yeah, you are such a lucky girl. Your man is so so generous. God, when is it going to be my turn? When?" Brenda exclaimed playfully and sarcastically that they all burst into laughter.
"Oh stop it," Charlotte said over the laughter.
"Look who's here," A familiar voice that got Charlotte weak in her knees broke out and she turned to look behind her.
"Babe, you're here!" She said as she got up to hug him.
"My love," Nelson Grill mumbled as he embraced her too. He was wearing a simple fit, polo, and shorts, unlike his usual Italian suits.
"What a pleasant surprise," she added again as she examined him at arm's length. "Thought you were out of the country for a business trip. I'm surprised you are here, you-"
Nelson blocked her mouth with his lips, kissing her lightly and stopping her from rambling anymore.
"I know." He said as he broke the kiss and kissed her forehead. "Had other things to take care of but don't mind me." He looked in the direction of her friends and flashed them with a smile. "Ladies, enjoying the night?" he asked and they all chorused in a cheerful tone.
"Yeah, we are."
Charlotte could not contain the joy she felt in her heart. Could the night get any better than this?
"Em, so let me introduce you to my friends." She said, hooking her arm in his, and stopping him from leaving so soon. "Brenda, this is Nelson Grill, my boyfriend, and babe, this is Brenda Taylor, my best friend,"
"Nice to meet you," Nelson took Brenda's outstretched hands for a shake. "I'm Brenda."